SEC's Top 25 Players: No. 24 Markus Golden

Published: Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 3:48 p.m.

No. 24 Markus Golden

School: Missouri

Year: Senior

Position: Defensive end

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 260 pounds

Why he's No. 24: It has been something of a wait for Golden, who had to go the junior college route and then got a late start in 2012 because of NCAA Clearinghouse issues, playing mostly special teams.

And last year he had to wait for playing time while Michael Sam and Kony Ealy were making life miserable for quarterbacks.

Still, Golden was able to take advantage of the snaps he received and is expected to follow in the footsteps of the lineage of linemen who have been high picks in the NFL from Missouri (Aldon Smith, Sheldon Richardson, Ealy, etc.)

Last year, Golden played about 40 percent of the snaps for the SEC East-winning Tigers and still managed 6.5 sacks. He had 13 tackles for losses.

Golden is a player with a terrific upside who has the quickness around the edge to put up some impressive numbers for Missouri. In a league with a lot of quarterbacks trying to find their way, the redshirt senior should be on a lot of postseason teams.

<p><b>No. 24 Markus Golden</b></p><p><b>School:</b> Missouri</p><p><b>Year:</b> Senior</p><p><b>Position:</b> Defensive end</p><p><b>Height:</b> 6-foot-3</p><p><b>Weight:</b> 260 pounds</p><p><b>Why he's No. 24:</b> It has been something of a wait for Golden, who had to go the junior college route and then got a late start in 2012 because of NCAA Clearinghouse issues, playing mostly special teams.</p><p>And last year he had to wait for playing time while Michael Sam and Kony Ealy were making life miserable for quarterbacks.</p><p>Still, Golden was able to take advantage of the snaps he received and is expected to follow in the footsteps of the lineage of linemen who have been high picks in the NFL from Missouri (Aldon Smith, Sheldon Richardson, Ealy, etc.)</p><p>Last year, Golden played about 40 percent of the snaps for the SEC East-winning Tigers and still managed 6.5 sacks. He had 13 tackles for losses.</p><p>Golden is a player with a terrific upside who has the quickness around the edge to put up some impressive numbers for Missouri. In a league with a lot of quarterbacks trying to find their way, the redshirt senior should be on a lot of postseason teams.</p>